The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently refused anticipatory bail to a 34-year-old man accused of stalking a class XII student in his Thar jeep while brandishing a gun and attempting to give her his number.
Justice Sumeet Goel emphasized the serious impact of such behavior, stating that a man who relentlessly pursues a young woman while displaying a firearm can cause significant trauma not only to the victim but also to her family.
The court stressed the importance of maintaining a society free from fear and intimidation, calling for strong measures to deter stalking which can disrupt social order.
The accused, Satnam Singh, was charged by Moga Police in Punjab for stalking, criminal intimidation, and violating the Arms Act based on the victim’s complaint. She reported that on March 3, while returning home after an exam, Singh and three others followed her in the market and tried to give her his phone number. Singh allegedly threatened her at gunpoint to take his number, which she refused.
Singh’s counsel argued that he was falsely implicated, and there was an unexplained delay in registering the case. It was also mentioned that Singh is married with a child.
Despite these claims, the court denied Singh’s plea for pre-arrest bail, noting that the incident was captured on CCTV and the victim expressed genuine fear due to Singh’s persistent actions.
Considering the seriousness of the allegations and the potential difficulty in uncovering the truth if Singh were granted bail, the court dismissed his plea.
Advocate Naresh Kumar Manchanda represented the accused in court.
